In a first aspect, a method of controlling an appliance is provided that includes (1) employing a wearable monitor to detect a biometric parameter of a user; (2) communicating biometric parameter information from the wearable monitor to a mobile telephone of the user; (3) determining if the biometric parameter information indicates that a value of the biometric parameter has crossed a predetermined threshold; and (4) if the value of the biometric parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold, employing the mobile telephone to direct an appliance to change between a first operating condition and a second operating condition. Numerous other aspects are provided.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method of using intentional heart rate changes to control wireless signals, comprising: providing a wearable heart rate monitor including a first wireless transmitter; providing a program executable by a user device including a processor, a first wireless receiver, and a second wireless transmitter; employing the program to receive at the user device first and second heart rate thresholds each above a heart rate indicating sleep; providing a power control unit including a second wireless receiver, the power control unit configured to couple to a light fixture by a power delivery line, the power control unit responsive to control signals received via the second wireless receiver to dim an amount of light produced by the light fixture; monitoring, by the wearable heart rate monitor, a heart rate of a user over a period of time while the user remains awake, wherein the heart rate of the user over the period of time indicates an intentional change in heart rate; transmitting, by the first wireless transmitter of the wearable heart rate monitor, the heart rate of the user over the period of time to the first wireless receiver of the user device; employing the program to determine, by the processor of the user device, whether the intentional change in heart rate has reached a predetermined incremental amount below the first and the second heart rate thresholds; employing the program to generate, by the processor of the user device, one or more control signals for transmission to the power control unit in response to the heart rate changing by the predetermined incremental amount below the first or second heart rate threshold, wherein the one or more control signals indicate a change in a power output; employing the program to transmit, by the second wireless transmitter of the user device, the one or more control signals to the power control unit; receiving, by the second wireless receiver of the power control unit, the one or more control signals; dimming, by the power control unit, responsive to the one or more control signals, a first amount of light produced by the light fixture in response to a lowering of the heart rate by the predetermined incremental amount below the first heart rate threshold; and dimming, by the power control unit, responsive to the one or more control signals, a second amount of light produced by the light fixture in response to a lowering of the heart rate by the predetermined incremental amount below the second heart rate threshold.
This invention relates to a system for controlling wireless signals using intentional heart rate changes to adjust lighting. The system addresses the problem of providing hands-free control of environmental settings, such as lighting, for users who may not have access to traditional control interfaces. The system includes a wearable heart rate monitor with a wireless transmitter, a user device with a processor, a wireless receiver, and a transmitter, and a power control unit connected to a light fixture. The wearable monitor tracks the user's heart rate while awake, detecting intentional changes. The user device receives heart rate data and compares it to predefined thresholds above the user's sleeping heart rate. When the heart rate decreases by a predetermined incremental amount below either threshold, the user device generates control signals. These signals are transmitted to the power control unit, which adjusts the light fixture's brightness accordingly. The first threshold triggers a first dimming level, while the second threshold triggers a second dimming level. This allows users to control lighting by intentionally altering their heart rate, providing a hands-free, non-invasive control method.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the power control unit decreases the power output to the light fixture in response to the intentional change in heart rate decreasing by the predetermined incremental amount.
This invention relates to a system for controlling power output to a light fixture based on a user's heart rate. The system addresses the problem of inefficient or ineffective lighting control by dynamically adjusting illumination in response to physiological changes, particularly intentional variations in heart rate. The core method involves monitoring a user's heart rate and adjusting the power output to a light fixture when the heart rate changes by a predetermined incremental amount. The power control unit decreases the light fixture's power output when the intentional decrease in heart rate meets the specified threshold. This ensures that lighting conditions adapt to the user's physiological state, improving energy efficiency and user comfort. The system may also include additional features such as detecting unintentional heart rate changes to avoid false adjustments. The invention is particularly useful in environments where lighting needs to respond to user activity levels, such as in smart homes, healthcare settings, or fitness facilities. By linking heart rate monitoring to power control, the system provides a more responsive and personalized lighting solution compared to traditional methods.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the power control unit increases the power output to the light fixture in response to the intentional change in heart rate increasing by the predetermined incremental amount.
This invention relates to a system for controlling light fixture power output based on physiological signals, specifically heart rate. The system addresses the problem of static lighting environments that do not adapt to a user's physiological state, which can affect alertness, productivity, or relaxation. The invention dynamically adjusts lighting conditions in response to intentional changes in a user's heart rate, providing a more responsive and personalized lighting experience. The system includes a sensor for detecting a user's heart rate and a power control unit that regulates the power output to a light fixture. When the user intentionally increases their heart rate by a predetermined incremental amount, the power control unit detects this change and increases the power output to the light fixture. This adjustment can enhance lighting brightness or intensity to match the user's physiological state, such as during physical activity or heightened alertness. The system may also include a calibration process to establish the baseline heart rate and the incremental threshold for triggering power adjustments. The invention ensures that lighting responds only to intentional physiological changes, avoiding unintended adjustments from natural heart rate fluctuations. This adaptive lighting approach improves user comfort and efficiency in environments where lighting needs vary with activity levels.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intentional change in heart rate is caused by the user tensing.
This invention relates to a system for monitoring and analyzing physiological signals, specifically heart rate, to detect and interpret intentional changes caused by user actions. The technology addresses the challenge of distinguishing between naturally occurring heart rate variations and those induced by deliberate user input, such as tensing muscles. By identifying these intentional changes, the system enables new forms of human-computer interaction, such as controlling devices or providing feedback without physical contact. The method involves continuously measuring the user's heart rate using sensors, such as those embedded in wearable devices. The system then processes the heart rate data to detect deviations from baseline patterns, particularly those triggered by muscle tension. Algorithms analyze the timing, magnitude, and frequency of these changes to confirm they are intentional. Once identified, the system translates these heart rate variations into specific commands or inputs, which can be used to operate external systems or provide interactive feedback. The invention also includes calibration steps to account for individual differences in heart rate response, ensuring accuracy across users. By leveraging physiological signals, this approach offers a hands-free, non-invasive way to interface with technology, particularly useful in scenarios where traditional input methods are impractical. The system may be integrated into wearable devices, medical monitoring tools, or assistive technologies to enhance user control and interaction.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intentional change in heart rate is caused by the user relaxing.
This invention relates to a system for monitoring and analyzing heart rate variability (HRV) to assess a user's physiological state, particularly focusing on detecting intentional changes in heart rate caused by relaxation. The system includes sensors to measure heart rate data, a processor to analyze the data, and a feedback mechanism to provide real-time insights. The key innovation is the ability to distinguish between heart rate changes due to relaxation versus other factors like physical activity or stress. By detecting relaxation-induced heart rate variability, the system can help users improve mindfulness, stress management, or biofeedback training. The method involves capturing heart rate signals, processing them to identify patterns indicative of relaxation, and generating feedback to guide the user toward maintaining or achieving a relaxed state. The system may also incorporate machine learning to adapt to individual user patterns over time, enhancing accuracy. This approach addresses the challenge of differentiating between voluntary and involuntary heart rate changes, providing a more reliable tool for relaxation-based health interventions.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the light fixture comprises a lamp.
A lighting system includes a light fixture with a lamp and a control mechanism for adjusting the fixture's orientation. The system monitors environmental conditions, such as ambient light levels or user presence, to determine optimal lighting parameters. Based on these conditions, the control mechanism adjusts the fixture's position to direct light more effectively, improving energy efficiency and user comfort. The lamp may be a conventional or energy-efficient light source, such as an LED, and the fixture may include sensors to detect environmental changes. The control mechanism may use motors or actuators to tilt or rotate the fixture, ensuring light is directed where needed without manual intervention. This automated adjustment reduces energy waste by avoiding unnecessary illumination and enhances user experience by adapting to changing conditions. The system may also integrate with smart home or building automation systems for centralized control. The invention addresses the problem of inefficient lighting in dynamic environments, where fixed fixtures often provide suboptimal illumination, leading to energy waste and discomfort. By dynamically adjusting the fixture's orientation, the system optimizes light distribution while conserving energy.
7. A method of using intentional heart rate changes to control wireless signals, comprising: providing a user device including a processor, a first wireless receiver, a remote control, and a first wireless transmitter, wherein the first wireless transmitter is configured to transmit one more media device control signals, the user device configured to receive first and second heart rate thresholds each above a heart rate indicating sleep; providing a wearable monitor configured to detect a heart rate of a user wearing the wearable monitor while the user remains awake, the wearable monitor including a second wireless transmitter; detecting, by the wearable monitor, the heart rate of the user wearing the wearable monitor; producing, by the wearable monitor, heart rate information corresponding to the detected heart rate of the user, wherein the heart rate information indicates an intentional change in heart rate; transmitting, by the second wireless transmitter of the wearable monitor, the heart rate information to the first wireless receiver of the user device; and transmitting, by the first wireless transmitter of the user device, a predefined first signal to a media device to alter a state of the media device in response to a change in heart rate above the first heart rate threshold, and a predefined second signal to the media device to alter a state of the media device in response to a change in heart rate below the second heart rate threshold.
This invention relates to a system for controlling media devices using intentional heart rate changes. The system addresses the problem of manually operating media devices, such as adjusting volume or changing tracks, by leveraging physiological signals to enable hands-free control. The system includes a user device with a processor, a wireless receiver, a remote control, and a wireless transmitter capable of sending media device control signals. The user device is configured to receive two heart rate thresholds, both above the typical resting heart rate, indicating the user is awake. A wearable monitor, such as a smartwatch or fitness tracker, detects the user's heart rate while they are awake and transmits heart rate data to the user device. The wearable monitor identifies intentional heart rate changes, such as deliberate increases or decreases, and sends this information to the user device. The user device processes the heart rate data and, based on predefined thresholds, transmits control signals to a media device. If the heart rate exceeds the first threshold, a predefined signal is sent to alter the media device's state, such as increasing volume. If the heart rate falls below the second threshold, a different predefined signal is sent, such as decreasing volume or pausing playback. This system enables intuitive, hands-free control of media devices through intentional physiological responses.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the intentional change in heart rate is caused by the user tensing.
This invention relates to a method for monitoring and analyzing physiological signals, specifically heart rate, to detect intentional user actions such as tensing. The method addresses the challenge of distinguishing between voluntary and involuntary physiological changes, which is critical for applications in biometric authentication, stress monitoring, or user interaction with wearable devices. The method involves detecting a baseline heart rate and then identifying deviations from this baseline. A key feature is the determination of whether a detected change in heart rate is intentional, such as when a user consciously tenses their muscles. This is achieved by analyzing the heart rate signal for patterns indicative of voluntary control, such as specific amplitude, frequency, or timing characteristics that differ from involuntary fluctuations caused by stress, exercise, or other physiological factors. The method may also incorporate additional sensors, such as electromyography (EMG) or motion sensors, to confirm the user's intentional action. By accurately distinguishing intentional heart rate changes from involuntary ones, the method enables more reliable biometric authentication, user input detection, or health monitoring. This is particularly useful in scenarios where subtle physiological signals must be interpreted to infer user intent, such as in wearable devices or medical monitoring systems. The invention improves upon prior art by providing a more precise and context-aware approach to heart rate analysis.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the intentional change in heart rate is caused by the user relaxing.
This invention relates to a method for monitoring and analyzing heart rate changes in a user, specifically detecting intentional changes in heart rate caused by relaxation. The method involves continuously measuring the user's heart rate using a wearable or implanted sensor, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or photoplethysmogram (PPG) device. The system processes the heart rate data to identify patterns indicative of relaxation, such as a gradual decrease in heart rate over a defined period. The method distinguishes between intentional relaxation-induced heart rate changes and other physiological or external factors, such as physical activity or stress. By analyzing the heart rate variability (HRV) and comparing it to baseline measurements, the system determines whether the observed change is due to the user consciously relaxing. The method may also incorporate additional biometric data, such as respiration rate or skin conductance, to improve accuracy. The system can then provide feedback to the user, such as notifications or guided relaxation exercises, to reinforce relaxation techniques. This approach is useful in applications like stress management, mental health monitoring, and biofeedback training, where detecting intentional relaxation is critical for therapeutic interventions.
10. A method of using an intentional heart rate change to control wireless signals, comprising: providing a wearable monitor configured to detect an intentional change in heart rate of a user while the user remains awake, the wearable monitor including a first wireless transmitter; providing a program executable by a user device, the user device including a processor, a first wireless receiver, and a second wireless transmitter, the program configured to allow the user device to receive first and second heart rate thresholds each above a heart rate indicating sleep; providing a control unit including a second wireless receiver, the control unit responsive to control signals received via the second wireless receiver, and adapted to alter operation of an alarm system; detecting, by the wearable monitor, the intentional change in the heart rate of the user wearing the wearable monitor; producing, by the wearable monitor, heart rate information, the heart rate information indicative of the intentional change in the heart rate of the user; transmitting the heart rate information by the first wireless transmitter of the wearable monitor to the first wireless receiver of the user device; and employing the program to transmit, by the second wireless transmitter of the user device, a signal to the second wireless receiver of the control unit to alter operation of the alarm system in response to the user intentionally changing a value of the user's heart rate by a predetermined incremental amount above the first heart rate threshold and to alter operation of the alarm system in response to the user intentionally changing a value of the user's heart rate by the predetermined incremental amount below the second heart rate threshold as determined by the processor in the user device.
This invention relates to a system for controlling wireless signals using intentional heart rate changes, particularly for managing alarm systems. The system addresses the problem of providing a hands-free, non-verbal method for users to interact with security or alarm systems while awake. A wearable monitor detects intentional heart rate changes in an awake user, distinguishing these from natural variations. The monitor includes a wireless transmitter to send heart rate data to a user device, which processes the information. The user device runs a program that compares the detected heart rate against predefined thresholds set above the user's resting or sleeping heart rate. If the user intentionally increases or decreases their heart rate by a specific incremental amount beyond or below these thresholds, the user device transmits a control signal to a control unit. The control unit, equipped with a wireless receiver, adjusts the operation of an alarm system in response to these signals. This method enables users to activate or deactivate alarms without physical interaction, using only controlled physiological responses. The system ensures security by requiring intentional heart rate changes that exceed normal awake-state variations, preventing accidental or unauthorized activation.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the intentional change in heart rate is caused by the user tensing.
This invention relates to a method for monitoring and analyzing physiological signals, specifically heart rate, to detect intentional changes caused by user actions. The method addresses the challenge of distinguishing between voluntary and involuntary physiological responses, which is critical for applications in stress monitoring, biofeedback systems, and medical diagnostics. The method involves continuously measuring a user's heart rate using sensors, such as ECG or photoplethysmography (PPG) devices. The system processes the heart rate data to identify patterns indicative of intentional changes, such as those caused by the user tensing muscles. Tensing typically induces a temporary increase in heart rate due to sympathetic nervous system activation. The system differentiates these intentional changes from natural fluctuations by analyzing the rate, magnitude, and duration of heart rate variations. The method may also incorporate additional physiological signals, such as electromyography (EMG) or galvanic skin response (GSR), to confirm the user's intentional action. Machine learning algorithms or statistical models may be used to classify the detected changes as voluntary or involuntary. This approach improves the accuracy of biofeedback systems, enabling more precise user interaction and better detection of stress or anxiety-related responses. The invention is particularly useful in wearable devices, medical monitoring systems, and human-computer interface applications.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the intentional change in heart rate is caused by the user relaxing.
This invention relates to a system and method for monitoring and analyzing physiological signals, specifically heart rate, to detect and interpret intentional changes in heart rate caused by user relaxation. The system captures heart rate data from a user, processes the data to identify patterns indicative of relaxation-induced heart rate changes, and distinguishes these from other physiological or external influences. The method involves detecting a baseline heart rate, monitoring deviations from this baseline, and determining whether the deviations correspond to relaxation-based heart rate modulation. The system may include sensors for heart rate measurement, processing units for signal analysis, and output mechanisms to provide feedback or alerts based on the detected changes. The invention aims to improve the accuracy of stress or relaxation monitoring by isolating intentional heart rate variations from other physiological or environmental factors, enabling more reliable applications in health monitoring, biofeedback, and wellness tracking. The method ensures that only relaxation-induced heart rate changes are identified, enhancing the specificity of the system's outputs.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
July 21, 2014
March 29, 2022
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.